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Industrial areas and consortia in the Veneto and Basilicata regions: a partnership for innovation

Panel: 2. Sustainable production design and supply chain initiatives

Authors:
Simona Loperte, Insitute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis – National Research Council, Italy
Carmelina Cosmi, Institute of Methodologies for Environmental Analysis CNR-IMAA, Italy
Alessandra Pellizzaro, Veneto Innovazione Spa
Enterprise Europe Network-North East Italy, Italy

Abstract

The Lisbon and the "Europe 2020" strategies identify the SMEs business potential development, investments in R&D and the transition to a “less polluting and more efficient economy” as key elements for a stable economic growth and job creation. In this framework, the project “Trans-regional actions for the strategic repositioning of the industrial areas”, developed in the 2007–2013 ERDF Programme, was aimed at contributing to the development and revitalisation of industrial areas of the Veneto and Basilicata Italy regions, promoting technology innovation and a proactive role of the industrial consortia.

The specific objectives were: to encourage the creation of industrial networks and spin-off at regional level; to valorize industrial clusters innovation through the transfer of good practices; to boost interregional cooperation and trading between the two regions; to enhance entrepreneurs competences and awareness through on the job training and pilot projects.

An ad-hoc survey was designed to carry out a preliminary in-depth characterization of the industrial areas. The survey, based on questionnaires and open interviews, was addressed to both consortia managers and entrepreneurs. The dual survey had the purpose of exploring different points of views of the interviewed and the satisfaction levels of customers, highlighting the role of the consortia as management structures. The investigation allowed characterizing the socio-economic and environmental framework, the territorial peculiarities, the infrastructures, the state of enterprises and their relationships with the consortia, the adopted business models and measures to face global and local economic and environmental challenges, collecting opinions on the services managed by the industrial consortia.

The thorough and detailed picture outlined by the survey was integrated by a SWOT (Strengths Weaknesses Opportunities Threats) analysis focused on the three pillars of sustainability: environment, economy and society. The SWOT analysis, as an integral part of the survey, allowed highlighting the main territorial challenges and entrepreneurs’ needs. The analysis put also in evidence that besides the different socio-economic and infrastructural conditions, the two regions represent both strategic geographical locations respectively for Northern Europe and the Mediterranean countries and can profitably exchange good practices and experiences as well as define common development paths to support new businesses and technology innovation, providing a concrete answer to entrepreneurs’ needs.

To this issue successful examples were identified in both the regions in line with the overall goals of the project. This significant knowledge base allowed selecting two potential transferable experiences: the Z.I.P. Padua Green Energy Park and the Alta Val d'Agri Incubator to be replicated in the two partners regions through joint feasibility studies and further pilot projects.

The project facilitated a wide-ranging work experience by an intensive collaboration among key stakeholders, local authorities, research institutions and enterprises that promoted the creation of long-lasting cooperation among the regions.

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